This week, we feature a biography of an influential—and the original—Greek cynic, and an influential Victorian novel which gave rise to the contemporary mystery genre.
Biography
‘Diogenes: The Rebellious Life and Revolutionary Philosophy of the Original Cynic’
By Inger N.I. Kuin
Diogenes, one of the ancient era’s most famous philosophers, founded Cynicism. This biography also looks at Diogenes’s impact on philosophy. Diogenes had no disciples and probably published nothing during his lifetime. This book pieced together Diogenes’s life using ancient sources, among them his rivals’ criticisms and a biography written 600 years after Diogenes’s death. A good introduction to Diogenes and his philosophy, it shows how philosophy remains worth studying today.
Basic Books, 2025, 320 pages
Fiction
‘Marce Catlett: The Force of a Story’
By Wendell Berry
In this latest addition to his Port William stories, 91-year-old Berry introduces Marce Catlett, Kentucky tobacco farmer. Like his neighbors, he’s deprived of a fair profit for his labor by a monopoly. He returns from the auction determined to grow another crop and seek justice by founding a farmers’ cooperative. Autobiographical in part, this fine novel resounds with themes explored in most of Berry’s work: love of family and the land, the obligation to duty, and defending a worthy cause.
Counterpoint, 2025, 176 pages
Literary History
‘Remarkable Books: The World’s Most Historic and Significant Works’
By DK
Peruse 75 of history’s greatest works from fiction and nonfiction, plus science and mathematics, to prose and poetry. Receive an introduction to the Bible, Sun Tzu, Shakespeare, Euclid, Einstein, and other works and authors that changed the world. With Christmas approaching, this is perfect for students preparing for high school or college, or for anyone who wishes to know which books they should read and why. Presented with excerpts and images, this book is both intellectually and visually appealing.
DK, 2017, 256 pages
Science Fiction
‘With the Lightnings’
By David Drake
Daniel Leary and Adele Mundy are from Cinnabar: Leary, a lieutenant in Cinnabar’s space navy, and Mundy, an exile working as a librarian on Kostroma. Cinnabar’s great rival, The Alliance of Free States, is sponsoring a coup on Cinnabar-allied Kostroma to pull it into the Alliance’s sphere. Once it starts only Leary and Mundy can stop it, but they must learn to work together despite coming from rival political families. The first of a 13-volume Aubrey–Maturin-style adventure series set in space.
Baen, 1999, 416 pages
Classics
‘The Woman in White’
By Wilkie Collins
This 1859 novel, considered the grandfather of the mystery genre, is experimental, given the inclusion of multiple narrators, and a protest against the legal injustices inflicted on married women at that time. A drawing teacher, Walter Hartright, falls in love with a student and must then employ sleuthing skills to prevent her murder. Especially notable among the characters is the eccentric villain Count Fosco. Some readers may find the Victorian language tedious; others will revel in its intricate beauty.
CreateSpace, 2015, 432 pages
For Kids
‘We Three Kings’
By Gennady Spirin
Illustrating the beloved Christmas carol, “We Three Kings” depicts the Biblical tale of the three wise men from different regions following the same star and journeying to deliver their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn baby in Bethlehem. Complete with sheet music, this is a lovely Christmas read aloud to share this holiday season.
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2007, 32 pages
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